UK surname
A locational surname denoting someone who lived near a high wood or forest.
In the 1881 census there were 85 people recorded with the Highwood surname, ranking it #21,573 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 84, ranked #32,726, down from #21,573 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Wittersham and St Mary Rotherhithe. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Highwood is 135 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.2%.
1881 census count
85
Ranked #21,573
Modern count
84
2016, ranked #32,726
Peak year
1911
135 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Highwood surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Highwood surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 61 | #22,412 |
| 1861 | historical | 102 | #20,797 |
| 1881 | historical | 85 | #21,573 |
| 1891 | historical | 99 | #24,200 |
| 1901 | historical | 123 | #20,248 |
| 1911 | historical | 135 | #19,058 |
| 1997 | modern | 95 | #27,638 |
| 1998 | modern | 91 | #28,806 |
| 1999 | modern | 89 | #29,168 |
| 2000 | modern | 92 | #28,832 |
| 2001 | modern | 87 | #29,161 |
| 2002 | modern | 84 | #29,982 |
| 2003 | modern | 83 | #30,088 |
| 2004 | modern | 84 | #30,244 |
| 2005 | modern | 89 | #29,683 |
| 2006 | modern | 78 | #31,385 |
| 2007 | modern | 82 | #31,295 |
| 2008 | modern | 77 | #32,181 |
| 2009 | modern | 80 | #32,277 |
| 2010 | modern | 88 | #31,875 |
| 2011 | modern | 93 | #31,169 |
| 2012 | modern | 90 | #31,790 |
| 2013 | modern | 89 | #32,248 |
| 2014 | modern | 90 | #32,309 |
| 2015 | modern | 85 | #32,693 |
| 2016 | modern | 84 | #32,726 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Wittersham, St Mary Rotherhithe, Marden and Boughton Monchelsea, Langley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | Wittersham | Kent |
| 3 | St Mary Rotherhithe | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Marden | Kent |
| 5 | Boughton Monchelsea, Langley | Kent |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Highwood surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Highwood, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Highwood surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Highwood household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Highwood is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Highwood is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Highwood, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HIGHWOOD is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, referring to someone who lived near or came from a high-lying wooded area or settlement.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the 12th century, where it appears as "de Heyewode." This spelling variation suggests a connection to the Old English words "heg" (meaning hedge or fence) and "wudu" (meaning wood or forest).
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "de Heghwode" and "de Heywode," reflecting the evolution of the English language over time. These variations further reinforce the association with elevated, wooded regions or settlements.
The name HIGHWOOD can also be traced back to places like Highwood, a small village in Somerset, England, and Highwood Hill, a location in the county of Staffordshire. These place names likely influenced the adoption of the surname by families residing in or originating from those areas.
Notable individuals bearing the surname HIGHWOOD throughout history include:
1. John Highwood (c. 1520 - 1584), an English merchant and Member of Parliament for Southwark during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. 2. Edward Highwood (1672 - 1733), a renowned English clergyman and mathematician who made significant contributions to the study of atmospheric refraction. 3. Mary Highwood (1768 - 1841), a British author and poet, known for her works exploring themes of love, nature, and spirituality. 4. George Highwood (1814 - 1892), a prominent architect from Yorkshire, responsible for designing several notable buildings in the region, including the Leeds City Museum. 5. Elizabeth Highwood (1904 - 1987), a pioneering British journalist and author, recognized for her groundbreaking work in reporting on women's issues during the early 20th century.
While the surname HIGHWOOD may have evolved over time and taken on various spellings, its origins can be traced back to the rural landscapes of medieval England, where it likely originated as a locational name reflecting the geographic features of the areas in which the name-bearers resided.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Highwood surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Kent leads with 49 Highwoods recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.32x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bermondsey in Surrey leads with 10 Highwoods recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.52x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bermondsey | 10 | 40.52x |
| Upchurch | 10 | 3125.00x |
| Langley | 9 | 8181.82x |
| Ivychurch | 8 | 11428.57x |
| Ashford | 7 | 254.55x |
| Battle | 7 | 744.68x |
| St Marylebone London | 7 | 15.81x |
| Leeds | 6 | 2857.14x |
| Wittersham | 4 | 1600.00x |
| Penge | 3 | 56.60x |
| New Romney | 2 | 689.66x |
| South Shoebury | 2 | 303.03x |
| West Ham | 2 | 5.54x |
| Crowhurst | 1 | 833.33x |
| Hastings St Leonards | 1 | 48.78x |
| Hoo | 1 | 263.16x |
| Maidstone | 1 | 11.86x |
| St George In East London | 1 | 12.82x |
| Staplehurst | 1 | 217.39x |
| Whatlington | 1 | 909.09x |
| Winchelsea St Thomas | 1 | 588.24x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Highwood surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Highwood surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 85 people were recorded with the Highwood surname. That placed it at #21,573 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 84 in 2016. That gives Highwood a modern rank of #32,726.
A locational surname denoting someone who lived near a high wood or forest.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Highwood bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.